About The Shire

Here in Blayney Shire, we gather on Wiradjuri country on which members and elders of the local indigenous community and their forebearers have been custodians for many centuries and on which aboriginal people have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal, we acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the region

Blayney Shire Council encompasses the townships of Blayney, Carcoar (the third oldest inland settlement in New South Wales), the national trust designated village of Millthorpe and the smaller villages and localities of Lyndhurst, Mandurama, Garland, Kings Plains, Burnt Yards, Browns Creek, Caloola, Forest Reefs, Shaw, Gallymont, Errowanbang, Hobbys Yards, Moorilda, Panuara, Tallwood, Barry, Neville and Newbridge.

The main town in the Shire is Blayney, situated some 37km west of Bathurst, around 34.1km south of Orange and approximately a 3-hour drive to the outer suburbs of Sydney.

The Shire of Blayney encompasses approximately 1,524.7 square kilometres of well-watered, gently undulating to hilly country on the Central Tablelands.

Much of the land is elevated, at over 900 metres above sea level, with the climate being partially suitable for cool climate crops and trees.

Blayney Shire is predominately rural in nature, fostering primary industries such as forestry, dairying, beef, lamb, wool, viticulture, orchards, potatoes, canola and other grains. Mining is also a key industry and the area is also home to other industrial activities such as manufacturing, transportation and food processing.

The resident population of the Blayney LGA is 7,497 (census 2021).

Total Economic Output for the Blayney LGA is estimated at $2.06B and it supports 3,133 jobs.

History of Blayney Shire

Blayney, the Village Shire, has a rich and fascinating history stretching back more than 170 years. Prior to European settlement, the area had been home to clans of the Wiradjuri tribe of First Nations People for thousands of years. The tension between early settlers and the Wiradjuri eventually led to the After the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth in 1813, European settlement began with the proclamation of a town (Bathurst) in 1815. That same year, Surveyor George Evans set out to explore the country to the south of Bathurst, thus bringing him into the lands that eventually became part of the Blayney Shire. The first landmark he named was near the eastern boundary of the shire  - a row of three rounded hills which he named after the Governor and dignitaries of the time, but later became known  as the “Three Brothers.”  The second landmark he came across was the mountain near Carcoar, now called Mount Macquarie.

After Evans’ exploration, government surveys were carried out, which enabled early land grants to notable settlers and government officials, leading to the establishment of Carcoar, followed by Blayney in 1843. During this period the local Wiradjuri people were dispossessed of their territory, particularly after the declaration of martial law in 1824.

As the major centre in the area, Carcoar benefited most from the gold rushes of the 1850s, but then had to contend with the bushrangers who frequented the district during the 1860s, notably Ben Hall and his associates – Gilbert, O’Meally, Vane and Bourke.

The coming of the railway to Blayney in 1876 was a significant factor in its development. It led to its position as the shire centre, at the expense of Carcoar, which enabled its preservation as a significant historic village within the shire. The shire has primarily been a farming and grazing area, but intermittent mining activity boosted the town and village economies. As a result, the Village Shire now boasts a number of other historic villages as well as Carcoar, including Barry, Millthorpe Lyndhurst, Mandurama, Neville and Newbridge, all with unique histories.

In addition to the region’s history, many attractions and features make this Village Shire a unique holiday destination. Bushwalking, cycling and horse riding in the picturesque countryside; water sports at Carcoar Dam; fishing in the shire’s streams and waterways; or exploring the mining and agricultural heritage of the area offers a fulfilling experience. Complemented by the beautiful scenery of rolling hills, a myriad of creeks, streams, and fresh mountain air offer an inviting experience.

Visit the Blayney Shire Information Centre to learn more about the area's history, and attractions things to see and do. In addition, resources are available online via Orange360 to plan your visit to the Village Shire.